Three major agricultural shows in Scotland are going ahead this weekend without cows, sheep and goats due to the restrictions.

Mr Lochhead urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of the disease.

A UK-wide ban on livestock movement is in place after cattle at a farm near Guildford were found to be infected.

Large shows at Dumfries and Turriff have been hit by the restrictions which prevent the movement of livestock, while organisers overseeing the second day of the Perth show said they had acted quickly to take precautions.

The discovery on a farm in Surrey has brought back vivid memories of the foot-and-mouth outbreak of 2001, which had a devastating impact on the UK's farming industry and tourism.